Virginia Mandatory Ultrasound Law's Repeal Blocked By State GOP

Virginia Mandatory Ultrasound Law's Repeal Blocked By State GOP

A Republican-controlled committee in the Virginia State Senate voted 8-7 on Thursday to block Democrats' efforts to repeal a new mandatory ultrasound law and a set of regulations that could shut down many abortion clinics in the state. The committee also voted down a new anti-abortion bill that would have prevented Medicaid from paying for low-income women's abortions in cases where there is a severe fetal anomaly.

Virginia Republicans attracted national criticism in early 2012 when they proposed a bill requiring women to undergo invasive, medically unnecessary transvaginal ultrasound procedures before having an abortion. Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) later helped Republicans revise the bill to require only external, "jelly-on-the-belly" procedures, and he signed that version into law.

State Sen. Ralph Northam (D), the only physician in the senate, proposed a bill that would repeal the mandatory ultrasound law because he says it violates the privacy and sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship. "I am giving you the opportunity to right the wrong committed last year," he told committee members on Thursday.

The Medical Society of Virginia and the Virginia American College of Obstetricians testified in favor of repealing the ultrasound bill, echoing Northam's concerns.

3. AMEN to both of you!

4. Dr. Ralph Northam (D)

I love the man! He was my son's pediatrician and, of course, I voted for him.

Geesh! These damn rethugians! "...prevented Medicaid from paying for low-income women's abortions in cases where there is a severe fetal anomaly." Yet, they want NO help for these poor babies after they're born, essentially advocating post-delivery abortions!

5. so how specific is the law actually?

Does it name the equipment, resolution, etc that must be achieved, or could a low cost, less invasive method that complies with the letter of the law be achieved? If it does name all of those factors, it's probably already obsolete.